John Ketner Obituary

John E. Ketner

John E. Ketner, 88, of Gilboa, passed away at 3:11 p.m. Saturday, June 17, 2023, at Meadows of Leipsic.

He was born Sept. 25, 1934, at a family home in Gilboa to Alvin and Clara (Carr Chambers) Ketner. He married Diane Ricketts on Feb. 27, 1959, and she survives in Gilboa.

John is also survived by two daughters, Dawn (Alan) Schimmoeller of Ottawa and Deb (Bradley) Slick of Onsted, Michigan; four grandchildren, Jason (Crystal) Schimmoeller, Emily (Kira) Fuerst, Bradly (Ashley) Hohenbrink, and Heather Hohenbrink; nine great-grandchildren, Zoie, Mackenzie, Ethan, Marlissa, Pyper, Addison, Armen, Jadzia, and Sarina; two great-great-grandchildren, Ky'airra and Mathew; and two siblings, Edwin (Pat) Ketner of Ottawa and Jane White of Westbend, Wisconsin.

He was preceded in death by a brother, David Henry (Jan) Ketner; two sisters, Carolyn Zoe (John) Geiger and Sue Ann Ketner; and two half-brothers, Alvin Lee (Faye) Ketner Jr. and Alfred Don (Kathryn) Ketner.

John was a 1952 graduate of Pandora-Gilboa High School. He entered into U.S. Army in July of 1954, where he was stationed in Hawaii and served until 1956. John proudly served as the former Gilboa Police Chief, Fire Chief for Blanchard-Gilboa Fire Department, and was the first First Responder for Gilboa. He attended Gilboa United Methodist Church and was a member of Findlay Blue Knights, Gilboa Harter Williams Legion, former Gilboa Council and Election Board. John retired from Philips Display Components, Ottawa, and the Gilboa Elevator. His favorite job was mowing the park at Gilboa. He liked watching eagles, fishing, boating, waterskiing, motorcycle riding, car racing at Millstream in Findlay, and handcuffing newlyweds, taking them for a ride in his police car.

John's funeral will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 21, 2023, at Gilboa United Methodist Church with Pastor Ruth Carter-Crist officiating. Burial will follow at Harman Cemetery, Gilboa, with military rites by Gilboa and Ottawa American Legion, VFW, Amvets, and DAV. Visitation will be 9-11 a.m. Wednesday at the church.

Arrangements are under the direction of LOVE FUNERAL HOME, Ottawa.

Memorial donations may be made to Gilboa United Methodist Church.

Condolences may be expressed at www.lovefuneralhome.com.